@freemoceanisnow what you describe is a very toxic attitude indeed, but given that Science is an activity carried out by human beings, it is bound to deal with the flaws of those involved (big egos, stubbornness, greed, dishonesty).
The good thing is, with the accelerated means of communication now it's easier to unveil some of these misdeeds, or at least to present significant opposition to them (which sometimes can also be a negative thing, but I digress).
Open comms such as this may help, even from non trained emotionally savvy critical thinkers.
Exactly, all that is needed to understand science and even contribute to it is to have a logical, critical way of thinking. It comes down to us, the ones with the scientific background, to present things in an understandable and clear way.